The Editor, Sir:

While I am overjoyed at the performance of our athletes at the Beijing Games, I am a bit perturbed by the requests which are coming from our people.

For years, our athletes have been doing well at these games. It is just now that we are getting our just rewards as the playing field is level and the detection of banned substances is now at a higher level.

Not to say that the current crop of athletes are not performing well. I am quite certain that these athletes do not compete at these Games for money but for their own pride and the pride of the country.

It is, therefore, difficult for me to understand the sudden clamour for money and other gifts to be given to individual athletes rather than for the Government and corporate Jamaica to ensure that this success can be replicated in years to come, by greater investment in sports and sporting facilities which are accessible by our local athletes year-round in this country.

To all our athletes and sports personalities who have ever represented Jamaica, in any shape or form, kudos to you. Our sincere thanks for placing us on the map and for keeping the Jamaican flag flying high and for enabling us to keep our heads high.

Let not our recent success be seen as a fluke, but as the beginning of a new era in athletics. To all the young stars looking on, there is no limit to your success. It has been done, it is being done and we will keep on doing great.

I am, etc.,

YOLANDE ROWE-FENDER

yfend2002@yahoo.com

Kingston